Cheap Electric - Find the Cheapest Electricity

When times are tough and household budgets are tight, energy bills are usually the first things to come under scrutiny as we all look at ways to save a bit of cash. Gas and electricity prices have been on the rise for a while now, so lots of people are hunting around to see if they can get a better deal with another supplier. However, before you get swayed by what seems like a better deal in terms of price, it's important to look carefully at your habits (good and bad) when it comes to your gas and electricity usage, and take some time to consider your options.

The first step is to do a quick internet search and find out what companies operate in your particular area. The Big 6 – British Gas, EDF, E-ON, Southern Electric, Scottish Power and nPower will cover most of the country, but you will also find a number of smaller local companies who may be offering good deals in your area too.

As soon as you have drawn up a short list, it's time to compare their prices and the deals they have on offer. You'll find a top-line guide to The Big 6 on this website, outlining the different packages available, but before you go ahead and buy it might be a good idea to get in touch with the customer services team to find out what the latest deals are.

If you do decide it's time to switch suppliers, make sure you read the small print very carefully before you sign on the dotted line. There may be hidden clauses and caveats, or different prices for the different times of day that can all impact on your bill. If you opt for a fixed price deal, make sure you're 100% happy to be tied to that contract for the length of time specified, as very often you'll have to pay an early termination fee for ending the contract early.

And remember, exploring your options doesn't necessarily mean you have to go ahead and make the switch. If you do find what looks like a better deal with a different supplier, then there's no harm getting in touch with your current one and asking them if they can match the deal or at least switch you to a more competitive plan. At the end of the day no company wants to lose customers, so often they will do their best to keep you with them.